Stepping Through Hope's Door
In the middle of the eighth century B.C., the Northern Kingdom of Israel was in its final days. Plagued by over 200 years of wicked, idolatrous leadership; they now faced the advancing armies of Assyria. In the midst of their crisis, the prophet Hosea delivers a word from the Lord declaring that he “will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope” (Hosea 2:15).
The Valley of Achor (Hebrew means “trouble”) was southwest of Jericho. It was the first place Israel experienced judgement in the Promised Land because of Achan’s sin (see Joshua 7). Yet, this same valley was the passage from the Jordan Valley to the interior highlands of Canaan. They had to travel through trouble to reach everything God had promised them. As I reflect on the last seven months, I can see how God is opening a door of hope for us, as we are passing through the COVID 19 valley of trouble. Four things stand out to me.
Routines and traditions have been disrupted, but God has used this to challenge us to innovate and improve. We don’t tend to change unless we’re forced too. We get comfortable with how we do things, which can lead to complacency. Thank God He is stretching us.
Denial and rationalization is only cured by honesty, even if it hurts. Walking through the current crisis has forced us to look long and hard at our ministry habits and delivery systems. The coronavirus has been used by God like a mirror. Mirrors don’t lie. They give us the opportunity to see things that need to be corrected or that can be done better.
Seeing people saved is to be celebrated. But it must be the doorway to discipleship. The Great Commission calls us not to just “get people saved,” but to “make disciples.” The last seven months has revealed the shallowness of some folks spirituality. Attention must be given to developing healthy spiritual disciplines and “equipping the saints to do the work of ministry.”
The value of genuine fellowship that unites us, is to be valued more than ever. Shallow, surface dominated relationships cause us to scatter when times get tough. But real love for each other helps us get through the toughest times together. As your State Overseer, I want to thank you for deepening your love for each other and for loving me and Alice.